Author's Notes: Hey, all! So, as you may have known, I've been in the process of rewriting this story with the help of the amazingly awesome Solziv, who's been beta-reading for me and helping keep the story/characters in check! So it's with my great pleasure that I bring you all the dreaded chapter 4, which has taken longer to write than I had hoped. I also had to split it. It was getting a bit out of hand. I also apologize for the hiatus. I lost interest for a bit there due to writer's block and overall stress over the story, but I am back! And I have a lot of major plot things figured out that I previously didn't have organized. I have the second half of this chapter to post, which I might do later on today or perhaps tomorrow so it's up and out, and then I'll be taking another break from the story to work on future chapters at an even pace to not overload myself. But, I will be finishing this story. I've put too much time and effort into this thing to drop it any time soon, although breaks due to lack of interest/writing blocks are bound to happen regardless.
Anyway, enjoy! And thank you for sticking around, reviewing, and overall being awesome!
Chapter 4 – Matter of Time
"The Metal Heads are now outside the city walls."
"They've always been outside the city walls."
"Hah hah," Jak crossed his arms and gave the tattooed man a level stare. "I'm being serious. Taryn and I just cut down two of them while turning the water back on."
Torn stared at the duo for a long moment, eyes narrowed and mouth slowly dipping into a frown. "You aren't kidding. Shit." The man reached into a desk in the far corner of the room, removing two neatly wadded piles of bills each secured with a rubber band. He handed one to Jak and the other to Taryn before pacing in front of the central table in thought.
"They've been getting bolder every day. I've heard rumors about people who leave the city walls being attacked. Most don't make it back alive." Taryn pulled up a chair, flipping it around so she could sit on it backwards as she pocketed her payment. She cast Jak a frown as she leaned her elbows on the back of the chair.
The blond nodded at her before giving the tattooed man his undivided attention. "What do we do?"
Torn's expression fell into muted concern, and after a moment of contemplation, he shook his head. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I'll have to speak with some other members of The Underground and some of my KG contacts. Let them know what's happening. The Shadow will want to know about this right away—" The tattooed man cut himself off as he continued to pace around the circular table, mumbling to himself. One arm rested behind his back while the other fell near his chin, worn frown lines creasing his face.
Jak shared another glance with Taryn, a question dancing underneath the surface of his gaze, but the latter was the first to make a move.
"We'll leave you to it, then. Thanks for the payment, and give us a call if anything comes up, okay?" The blue-haired beauty returned her chair to its previous position.
The brunet barely nodded as the duo clambered back up the stairs and exited through the doorway.
Jak let out a shaky laugh as the door slid closed behind them. "I suppose this is worse than we thought, huh?"
Taryn countered his laugh with a troubled smile. "I suppose it is. What a way to start off our careers as Underground agents, eh?"
"No kidding." Jak glanced at the blue-haired beauty, deciding a change of subject was in order. With business concluded for the day, some peace and quiet was required, despite how heavy the news hung on their shoulders. "Need a lift home?"
Taryn nodded, "If you don't mind. Actually, The Naughty Ottsel would do just as well. I need a drink."
"Might need more than one." The blond quirked his lips into a grin as they continued to his vehicle. He took up his position as driver, and when Taryn joined in the passenger seat, he zoomed off.
His mind was racing, matching his current driving state as he bobbed and weaved through traffic in a manner that was haphazard for most but so natural for Jak. He always drove like this—reckless and as if he'd never driven before, which wasn't such a far-off statement. Having joined the army when he was only eighteen years old, the blond didn't have much of a chance to use his license. Besides, learning how to maneuver a large vehicle in the desert was different than using a standard street cruiser. One was bulky with massive tires and traveled through shifting sands, while the other hovered and soared through the streets with a grace the sand buggies couldn't even fathom.
His blue-haired companion laughed suddenly, drawing the ex-soldier from his thoughts. "You're a madman behind the wheel, Jak. Those stories I've heard about you are true. I can fully attest to that after spending a day with you and your driving skills."
Jak laughed, "The only one who doesn't complain about my driving is Daxter. I think he likes the thrill of near misses, something he likes to emulate when driving himself but doesn't quite have the skill for it."
"I'll admit it's exhilarating, but at the same time it's terrifying. I'm just thankful I don't get scared easily, or car sick for that matter." She pursed her lips, "Remind me to never get in a vehicle where Daxter is the driver. I trust you more than I trust him, and I've known him longer." Taryn folded her arms over her chest and glanced at the blond with a tender smile. "I'm not complaining about your driving though. Simply making an observation. From what I've learned about you, and from what I've seen, if you drove like an old man I'd be concerned."
Jak snorted, but quickly composed himself when he realized how undignified that noise was. Taryn laughed though, and soon the two of them were cracking up.
When they settled, Taryn leaned her elbow on the armrest and looked off to the side, "I rather like your company, Jak. I wasn't sure about you at first, but you're not half bad."
The blond grunted. "Well thanks for the compliment."
"Oh, anytime," She smirked, sending Jak a wink. "So, have you ever thought about becoming a racer at the Stadium?"
The ex-soldier tilted his head. "Uh, no, actually."
"Perhaps you should. With skills like yours, you might have a chance against some of the longtime racers. If anything, the part-time work would be good, y'know? Keep you busy and keep you paid. Even more of a payout for winning, which I think you'd easily accomplish judging by what I've seen today. Although, the current champion of the NYFE races is a son of a bitch who doesn't take losing well."
"Sounds like someone who needs to be knocked down a peg, then."
"You don't know the half of it," Taryn rolled her eyes, tapping her fingers on her thigh as she stared out the window. She whirled suddenly, startling Jak, who tightened his grip on the steering wheel at her outburst. "Oh! Hey, don't think I forgot about that lunch you owe me."
Jak's shoulders slumped as he laughed, grip falling slack on the wheel as he dipped his head downward. "Oops. I forgot about that."
"Of course you did, big guy." Taryn rolled her eyes.
Jak cast her a glance, swallowing a sudden lump and causing him to clear his throat. "How about we change lunch to dinner?"
Taryn quickly turned her head and stared at him, confusion and interest clouding her eyes. "Dinner, hm?" She looked away, watching the zoomer in front of them as they continued driving along. "Okay."
"Okay?" Jak looked taken aback.
The blue-haired woman chuckled. "What, did you think I'd say no?"
"Maybe."
Her laughter increased, but it was heartfelt and not mocking. "When?"
"Tonight? At seven?"
"Seven sounds good to me, and with plenty of time to get ready after mucking through the Pumping Station." She smiled at him, and if Jak squinted, he could almost make out a light flush to her cheeks. He had a feeling his own were lightly colored too, and he was grateful to be driving. Having his hands on the steering wheel kept them from fidgeting.
"All right, then. It's settled. I'll pick you up? Or do you just want to come to the bar instead?"
"I can meet you at the bar. Easier that way, I think."
"Do you live close to the Port?" Jak stole a glance at his companion.
"Sort of? I have a small studio apartment over in the Industrial Zone kind of close to the Power Station. So, I'm close enough to walk where I need to." Taryn shrugged.
"No vehicle, I assume?"
She shook her head, "I can't afford one, although I did manage to pick up a cheap zoomer that was in disrepair. I asked Keira if I could store it at her garage and work on it during my down time, so I am working on fixing myself a ride, it's just taking longer than I anticipated."
"Well, if you ever need a ride I don't mind helping you out. I, uh, also don't know much about fixing vehicles, Keira really is the go-to for that, but I know the Stadium is a long drive from here, so I can't imagine how long it must take to walk. If you ever need a ride to and from, I'd be happy to lend you one." He cast a shadow of a grin toward her, which earned him one in reply.
"Thank you, Jak. I might have to take you up on that offer."
The ex-soldier dipped his head, but overall the vehicle took on a comfortable silence except for the wind whipping past them. Eventually they rounded the corner and entered the Port, where Jak maneuvered the vehicle toward The Naughty Ottsel and into a space beside the bar. He parked and hopped out, waiting for Taryn to do the same before they meandered to the front door, the massive metal pieces splitting apart to allow them entry.
Tess and Daxter were both behind the counter, and when the blond took a seat on a stool, with Taryn taking the seat next to him, they gave matching smiles.
"Welcome back, Cowboy," Daxter winked. "You sure were gone awhile. Did Torn get ya a job? And hey there, Bloo. Yer lookin' good as always."
Taryn rolled her eyes, "Ever the flirtatious one, even with your girlfriend standing beside you."
"Oh, you know I don't mind it. It's harmless. Besides, it's just how my Daxxie is." Tess pulled the redhead into her arms, giving him a tight squeeze and earning what Jak and Taryn could have sworn was a purr.
Jak rolled his eyes and leaned his elbows on the counter, shoulders slumping, and sharing a mutual look of mock distaste with Taryn, before he looked at his best friend. "The Baron turned the water off in the Slums. Taryn and I turned it back on and fought a few Metal Heads straggling outside the walls."
Tess' arms dropped from Daxter as she gaped at the blond. "Did you say Metal Heads? Out at the Pumping Station?"
Jak turned his tired eyes toward the busty barmaid, nodding solemnly.
She braced her hands on the counter with a frown, looking at Daxter who had quickly dropped his playful demeanor to take up a more serious appearance. Tess quickly looked between Jak and the blue-haired woman. "Did you tell Torn?"
"Don't worry, it's covered. We told Torn the moment we were back. He was going on about the Shadow needing to know, whoever that is, and some KG people he knew." The blond cocked his head to the side, eyes narrowing. "So who is this Shadow character? I've heard them mentioned several times now."
Daxter shrugged, "No one really knows who the Shadow is except the higher ups. I suppose one day the mystery might be revealed to us grunts, but eh, who cares? I sure don't. The less we know about that sorta thing the better, in my opinion."
Tess sighed a heavy breath, "What a great first mission though."
"No kidding," Jak rolled his eyes, "Not what I was expecting, but at least two people with experience were out there and not some rookie."
A sudden touch to his shoulder caused him to jolt and pull an elbow back in defense. However, when he saw it was Taryn who had reached out, a remorseful yet knowing look in her eye, he relaxed and lowered his arm with a mute apology.
"You okay, Bud?" Daxter's voice was uncharacteristically low.
The blond glanced up, and then stretched his muscles as he tried to brush off what had just occurred. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just think I need a nap. It's been a long day."
Taryn slipped off the stool, pulling Jak from his reverie, and cast him a ghost of a smile. "Alright then, big guy. Get some rest and I'll see you tonight."
"Are you sure you don't want me picking you up? It's better than walking."
Taryn paused, tilting her head to the side, and then grabbed a napkin off the countertop. "Tess, you got a pen?"
The bubbly blonde moved toward the register and retrieved a purple pen. She handed it to Taryn, who scribbled down quick directions, in the form of a crude map, on how to get to her little "hole-in-the-wall" of a place. She then held the napkin out for the ex-soldier to take, a shy grin lighting up her face. "Since you insist."
Jak took the napkin with a brow raised, but bobbed his head. "I'll see you at seven, then."
Taryn grinned, and then waved at the couple behind the counter. "Bye Tess, bye Dax." She turned and exited the establishment, leaving Jak to the curious stares from his best friend and the blonde barmaid.
"See you tonight?" Daxter's eyebrows rose. "Oh, I see, so while you were out workin', showin' off yer skills as a well-tuned hero, you managed to get yerself a lady, eh? Nice, brother, you've got yerself a good catch." He winked at Jak, which earned him an eye roll.
"I'm happy for you, Jak. Taryn is a good woman, and I think you two have more in common than y'all might think, too." Tess grinned.
Jak shifted in his seat and rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze. He already knew he had a lot in common with Taryn from the previous events that had transpired, but the reassurance was nice.
Attempting to change the subject, Jak raised an eyebrow at the couple, "How was work?"
Daxter took the bait and grinned, resting a hand on his hip, "Oh, y'know, the usual. Had to threaten some asshole who tried to hit up on my girl, though." He winked at Tess, who fluttered her eyelashes and couldn't hide her blushing cheeks.
"Gotta protect what's mine, y'know? But this guy, big dude, mind you." Daxter made hand motions to show how big this man was before continuing, "Comes swaggering into my bar like he owned the joint. Already I don't like him, ya see? So he comes up to the counter here, where my ladylove is busy making drinks like a master, and he says, 'Hey, babe, what's a fine thing like you doing in a scummy place like this?'"
The redhead scoffed, "Can you believe the nerve of this prickhole? Anyway, so I walk up to him and make myself known, and then I say, 'Hey, Asshole, why don't ya back up off my lady? And while you're at it, why don't you keep backing up out of my bar. Oh, and don't let the door hit ya where the great Precursors split ya.'
"This dude then has the balls to straighten out his bent back and try to look intimidating. Intimidating. You can't intimidate all of this," Daxter gestured to himself with a beaming grin, finishing the gesture with a flex of his lackluster arm muscles. "So whaddya think I did? Hm? If you were thinkin' clock him in his smug, ugly mug, then brotha you're right on the mark. He went to open his fat mouth and WHAM! I made 'im see stars, alright."
"Oh, Daxxie, you were such a hero today!" Tess wrapped her arms around the redhead and squeezed, holding her boyfriend within close vicinity of her bosom, of which caused a dopey grin to spread on Daxter's face.
"Anythin' fer you, Babycheeks."
The barmaid hummed and squeezed a little tighter, mumbling something that Jak was positive he was happy he couldn't hear judging by the deep blush that overtook Daxter's face.
Jak rolled his eyes but managed to smile as he slid off the stool he was seated on, earning the attention of his friends and momentarily breaking apart the cuddle-fest that was happening. "Well, I'm glad to hear that you had an exciting day. Compared to yours, my day was so boring it wore me out." The ex-soldier smirked, casting a mock salute toward the couple as his sarcasm hit the mark.
The last thing he saw as he yanked open the door to the house was his best friend wrapping an arm around the blonde bombshell and drawing her close as they talked in low tones. The sight brought a smile to his face as he left them to their work and maneuvered to his bedroom on the second floor.
At least love still existed in this cruel world, and he had something, or rather someone, to look forward to seeing later that night.